Chapter XXXII. Turning the Tables

by Horatio Alger

　　The next morning Mr. Morton made inquiries of Frank respectingthe mortgage. Frank explained that a loan of four hundred dollarswould enable him to cancel it."That is very easily arranged, then," said Henry Morton.He opened his pocketbook and drew out four crisp new UnitedStates notes, of one hundred dollars each."There, Frank," said he; "that will loosen the hold Squire Hayneshas upon you. I fancy he will find it a little more difficult toextricate himself from my grasp.""How can I ever thank you, Mr. Morton?" said Frank, with emotion."It gives me great pleasure to have it in my power to be ofservice to you, Frank," said his friend kindly."We will have a mortgage made out to you," continued Frank."Not without my consent, I hope," said Mr. Morton, smiling.Frank looked puzzled."No, Frank," resumed Mr. Morton, "I don't care for any security.You may give me a simple acknowledgment of indebtedness, and thenpay me at your leisure."Frank felt with Justice that Mr. Morton was acting verygenerously, and he was more than ever drawn to him.So passed the earlier hours of the forenoon.About eleven o'clock Squire Haynes was observed approaching thehouse. His step was firm and elastic, as if he rejoiced in theerrand he was upon. Again he lifted the knocker, and sounded anoisy summons. It was in reality a summons to surrender.The door was opened again by Mrs. Frost, who invited the squireto enter. He did so, wondering at her apparent composure."They can't have raised the money," thought he apprehensively."No, I am sure the notice was too short."Frank was in the room, but Squire Haynes did not deign to noticehim, nor did Frank choose to make advances. Mrs. Frost spoke uponindifferent subjects, being determined to force Squire Haynes tobroach himself the business that had brought him to the farm.Finally, clearing his throat, he said: "Well, madam, are youprepared to cancel the mortgage which I hold upon your husband'sfarm?""I hope," said Mrs. Frost, "you will give us time. It is hardlypossible to obtain so large a sum in twenty-four hours.""They haven't got it," thought the squire exultingly."As to that," he said aloud, "you've had several years to getready in.""Have you no consideration? Remember my husband's absence, and Iam unacquainted with business.""I have already told you," said the squire hastily, "that Irequire the money. I have a note to pay, and----""Can you give us a week?""No, I must have the money at once.""And if we cannot pay?""I must foreclose.""Will that give you the money any sooner? I suppose you wouldhave to advertise the farm for sale before you could realizeanything, and I hardly think that car be accomplished sooner thana week hence.""The delay is only a subterfuge on your part," said the squirehotly. "You would be no better prepared at the end of a week thanyou are now.""No, perhaps not," said Mrs. Frost quietly."And yet you ask me to wait," said the squire indignantly. "Oncefor all, let me tell you that all entreaties are vain. My mind ismade up to foreclose, and foreclose I will.""Don't be too sure of that," interrupted Frank, with a triumphantsmile."Ha, young impudence!" exclaimed the squire, wheeling round."Who's to prevent me, I should like to know?""I am," said Frank boldly.The squire fingered his cane nervously. He was very stronglytempted to lay it on our hero's back. But he reflected that thepower was in his hands, and that he was sure of his revenge."You won't gain anything by your impudence," he said loftily. "Imight have got you a place, out of pity to your mother, if youhad behaved differently. I need a boy to do odd jobs about thehouse, and I might have offered the place to you.""Thank you for your kind intentions," said Frank, "but I fear thecare of this farm will prevent my accepting your tempting offer.""The care of the farm!" repeated the squire angrily. "Do youthink I will delegate it to you?""I don't see what you have to do about it," said Frank."Then you'll find out," roared the squire. "I shall takeimmediate possession, and require you to leave at once.""Then I suppose we had better pay the mortgage, mother," saidFrank."Pay the mortgage! You can't do it," said the squire exultingly."Have you the document with you?" inquired Mrs. Frost."Yes, madam.""Name the amount due on it.""With interest eight hundred and twenty-four dollars.""Frank, call in Mr. Morton as a witness."Mr. Morton entered."Now, Frank, you may count out the money.""What!" stammered the squire, in dismay, "can you pay it.""We can.""Why didn't you tell me so in the first place?" demanded SquireHaynes, his wrath excited by his bitter disappointment."I wished to ascertain whether your course was dictated bynecessity or a desire to annoy and injure us. I can have nofurther doubt about it."There was no help for it. Squire Haynes was compelled to releasehis hold upon the Frost Farm, and pocket his money. He had neverbeen so sorry to receive money before.This business over, he was about to beat a hurried retreat, whenhe was suddenly arrested by a question from Henry Morton."Can you spare me a few minutes, Squire Haynes?""I am in haste, sir.""My business is important, and has already been too longdelayed.""Too long delayed?""Yes, it has waited twelve years.""I don't understand you, sir," said the squire."Perhaps I can assist you. You know me as Henry Morton. That isnot my real name.""An alias!" sneered the squire in a significant tone."Yes, I had my reasons," returned the young man, unmoved."I have no doubt of it."Henry Morton smiled, but did not otherwise notice the unpleasantimputation."My real name is Richard Waring."Squire Haynes started violently and scrutinized the young manclosely through his spectacles. His vague suspicions wereconfirmed."Do you wish to know my business with you?"The squire muttered something inaudible."I demand the restitution of the large sum of money entrusted toyou by my father, just before his departure to the West Indies--asum of which you have been the wrongful possessor for twelveyears.""Do you mean to insult me?" exclaimed the squire, bold in theassurance that the sole evidence of his fraud was undiscovered."Unless you comply with my demand I shall proceed against youlegally, and you are enough of a lawyer to understand thepunishment meted out to that description of felony.""Pooh, pooh! Your threats won't avail you," said the squirecontemptuously. "Your plan is a very clumsy one. Let me suggestto you, young man, that threats for the purpose of extortingmoney are actionable.""Do you doubt my identity?""You may very probably be the person you claim to be, but thatwon't save you.""Very well. You have conceded one point."He walked quietly to the door of the adjoining room, opened it,and in a distinct voice called "James Travers."At the sound of this name Squire Haynes sank into a chair, ashypale.A man, not over forty, but with seamed face, hair nearly white,and a form evidently broken with ill health, slowly entered.Squire Haynes beheld him with dismay."You see before you, Squire Haynes, a man whose silence has beenyour safeguard for the last twelve years. His lips are nowunsealed. James Travers, tell us what you know of the trustreposed in this man by my father,""No, no," said the squire hurriedly. "It--it is enough. I willmake restitution.""You have done wisely," said Richard Waring. (We must give himhis true name.) "When will you be ready to meet me upon thisbusiness?""To-morrow," muttered the squire.He left the house with the air of one who has been crushed by asudden blow.The pride of the haughty had been laid low, and retribution, longdeferred, had come at last.Numerous and hearty were the congratulations which Mr. Morton--Imean Mr. Waring--received upon his new accession of property."I do not care so much for that," he said, "but my father's wordhas been vindicated. My mind is now at peace."There was more than one happy heart at the farm that night. Mr.Waring had accomplished the great object of his life; and as forFrank and his mother, they felt that the black cloud which hadmenaced their happiness had been removed, and henceforth thereseemed prosperous days in store. To cap the climax of theirhappiness, the afternoon mail brought a letter from Mr. Frost, inwhich he imparted the intelligence that he had been promoted to asecond lieutenancy."Mother," said Frank, "you must be very dignified now, You are anofficer's wife."